Voliminal: Inside The Nine
Reviewed by:
UG Team, on february 05, 2007 5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Sound: You've got a backstage pass for the Slipknot show, so be prepared for plenty of up-close-and-personal rehearsals, crying fans, and drinking-induced vomit. The latest 2-disc DVD package by Slipknot Voliminal: Inside The Nine is definitely a gift to fans that might be curious as to know what exactly goes on when the masked band isn't taking the stage. The first disc shows all the behind-the-scene action in an unorthodox format, complete with choppy editing and absolutely no specific chronology. While this unique approach might have some a bit antsy, Slipknot fans will likely find it a fascinating peek into the day-to-day antics of the band.
If you're looking for a live concert performance shown in full and without any random clips edited in, go directly to disc 2. The first disc is collection of video snippets that includes more than 80 minutes of footage taken by percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan. And while it's definitely exploring one side to Slipknot, it only gives partial attention to the music. You're more likely to find one of the road crew chugging a bottle of hard liquor after a bet from the band, then periodically vomiting throughout the rest of the DVD.
This is not to say disc 1 doesn't give you moments of live footage here and there. In one scene you see a fantastic practice (unmasked) done in some general rehearsal space. Even though the bandmembers' faces are blurred out to keep the masked show fresh, it's a great peek at the band's performance skills without thousands of screaming fans. Another extremely cool moment comes with a video taken from the audience, showing drummer Joey Jordison and his kit being turned on its side and Jordison playing on unfazed like old school Tommy Lee.
While the artistic approach to disc 1 can be appreciated, it's disc 2 that will give viewers a bit more of Slipknot's music. The disc includes concert footage from all over the world, featuring The Blister Exists, Eyeless, Duality, and Vermillion. The first disc teases you a lot by showing you tiny segments of Vermillion being practiced at rehearsal and then played briefly onstage, so it's great to finally see it done in full. // 8

Content: You'll be thrown off a bit by the first disc, which is more dedicated to the band and their handheld cameras. It's an interesting view, but you may find it hard to sit through all that disc in one sitting. There are so many little editing cuts along the way, that you'll definitely be giving your mind an exercise if anything.
Disc 2 is the must-see in terms of the content, particularly due to the interview feature. The best moment in the 2-disc collection comes during a chat with Corey Taylor, who shares his feelings about everything from his less-than-perfect relationship with his father to the obstacles that the band faced in its early days. I believe Taylor says, Being in Slipknot is like having cysts removed from your body -- basically meaning that while the band has been through hell, it's well worth it at the end of the day. Well said, Mr. Taylor.
Slipknot also provides 5 music videos and a series of bonus footage to accompany the DVD. All in all, the band definitely thought outside of the box on Voliminal, and that is respectable. While the first disc might be lost on those who aren't diehard fans, most will still be entertained at the misadventures that go on backstage. // 8

Production Quality: The production style covers the gamut in Voliminal. There is more of an artistic approach to the first disc, which includes un obscene amount scenes that had to be edited in (hats off to that editor all the way). Primus also opted for a more avant garde look to its latest DVD, and it's great to see other bands also thinking in new ways. Although the overall look of disc 1 won't appeal to everyone, it's a novel approach.
Fans are treated to a more traditional look with the interview section on disc 2. While there are some interesting angles used during the interview, you're still able to focus in on the expressions that each band member conveys. The live footage is a bit more chaotic in terms of camera use, but there is obviously a huge difference between the sedate interviews and the adrenaline-injected performances. In each case, there was plenty of thought that went behind the setup. // 8

Overall Impression: It's hard to get a full read on Voliminal when you first pop in disc 1, which is all over the place at times. There are quite a few mini-stories that you'll see maybe 5 seconds of on the DVD, and you kind of wish you knew just a bit more about each scene. Fans will definitely be satisfied with the variety of footage that is used in the first disc, however, and it's the kind of DVD that you'll be able to discover new things with each viewing.
The highlights come in the interviews, where you're able to see the real people behind the masks. As behind-the-scenes as the first disc may seem to be, it's the interviews that take place in the bandmates' real-life settings that give you the best insight into the emotions that drive Slipknot's music. // 8

Voliminal: Inside The Nine
Reviewed by:
SlipKnots Fan, on march 17, 2007 1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sound: The sound of this DVD is amazimgly different from any other. It can go from one scene where they are in studio with high quality sound, to a scene when they are playing live and you can't make out anything that's going on. Much of the sound on this DVD is really what is going on. When they play live, it is amazing how one scene can be complete insanity without making out a sound, to another where it sounds perfect. // 9

Content: This DVD provides any SlipKnot fan with more footage ever seen before. It shows you SlipKnot from all perspectives. The majority of the video is randomly chosen live footage put together to make an incredible DVD. Aside from the live footage, There are many scenes of them recording in studio. There is also a scene where it shows each member deciding how to design their new mask. This is a 2 disc dvd, one which contains the full lenght Voliminal, and the other with live preformances, music videos and exclusive interviews. // 10

Production Quality: M. Shawn Crahan (more formaly known as Clown) directed this DVD. It took over two years and over 200 shows to get all of the footage needed to create this masterpiece. Many clips of the band has been altered in someway, whether it is some special visual effect, or some other different sound clip that gettis cropped into the clip. // 10

Overall Impression: The most impresive thing about the DVD is the variety of different shots from in studio, live and on the tour buss. The DVD menus are amzing to. If I lost or stole this, I would without a doubt buy this DVD again. This DVD is amazing and is a must have for any SlipKnot fan. // 10

Voliminal: Inside The Nine
Reviewed by:
Shabalaba, on april 23, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sound: I bought this album expecting a lot from what I had heard of this DVD and also with Slipknot being an ace band I thought it would be good. And it delivered it was ace from the quite frankly strange 1st disc to the videos and interviews of the 2nd disc. Slipknot is a metal/heavy metal band, but you probably knew that if you like Slipknot. // 10

Content: I mentioned what it was basically about above but I'll go into more detail. Disc 1. Wow, that's all I had to say afterwards. At first you think what's going on here, because it just keeps flicking between clips, but after a while it starts getting interesting. But don't watch it if you get offended easily, you will see people being sick, Corey walk on stage with nothing on holding up something and many many other things. Also you get to see some band practices whilst they are making the album in the Houdini mansion. Joeys drum solo is cool, the only way you know which way is down is because of the way his hair falls. All in all a very good disc.
Disc 2. A more organised disc so to speak. You can watch the videos of Duality, Before I Forget, Vermilion, Vermillion pt. 2 and the Nameless (live). Then you have the live videos, The Nameless doesn't come under this because they realised it with 9.0 Live, anyway the live videos are (Sic), The Blister Exists, Eyeless, Duality, Vermillion, The Heretic Anthem, Pulse of the Maggots, Before I Forget and People=Shit. It also contains interviews with all 9 members without their masks on, which is pretty cool. The interviews give you an in-depth look into what Slipknot means to them. The only thing is the interview with Craig, you don't see his face properly, they blur it out, and it only lasts about 9 seconds. Another very good disc. // 10

Production Quality: The production quality is good. The way the change between clips is good, they sort of blur it the it fades and the next clip comes on, but sometimes they just change clip normally. You don't get "shakey cam" much, it happens sometimes but that is to be expected when you filming in a mosh pit. Very well done. // 10

Overall Impression: It's a really good DVD, a must for all Slipknot fans. Even if you didn't like disc 1 you would keep it for disc 2, that's my favourite disc, I just love the interviews, it helps you to get inside their head. I think it definitely is at the top of band DVDs. I've already said what I love about it the only bad thing is on disc one is can be slightly boring at times, what I mean by that is it films the crew too much, even though they are a main part of the bands live shows n stuff I would have liked to see more of the band. If it were lost or stolen I would buy it again defiantly. // 10

My mate told me there's this funny random bit on disc 1 where Craig randomly says to the camera "How many people are buried in your back garden?" i can soooo imagine him saying something like that lmao.

with 2 guitarists playing power chords, a bassist playing the root note 1 octave lower, 3 drummers (wtf? retarded, especially considering 1 of them is actually really good), a singer who has proved he is absoloutely amazing but sings like a 10-year-old mallgoth anyway, and 2 DJ/keyboardists (again... what the hell is the point?), and of course not forgetting the childish, image-based theme, slipknot are SURE to attract 1000's of pathetic wannabe metalheads.
dont bother with the "zomfgz wtf why u postin if u dnt lik da band u gay" routine.

i understnd where your coming from joewy but the band has more talent than just a singer, most of them have side projects and in some ways joey jordison is most of their talent the guy puts the song structure together and helps with their lyrics and i dont think anyone is gay for not liking them

no-one who tries to be a metalhead is cool. its cool to like a certain genre of music and not go around bragging about it.
and yeah, i appreciate that maybe some of them have talent. why the bloody hell do none of them ever use it in this band? and whats the point in the 3 drummers and 2 DJ/keyboardists? to me its so pointless and dumb.
everyone knows how amazing joey jordison is, from his days in ministry, and "through the glass" by stone sour proves that corey can sing really well.
the only explanation is that theyre all sell-outs, dont give a crap about the music and base everything on image.

jeowy wrote:
with 2 guitarists playing power chords, a bassist playing the root note 1 octave lower, 3 drummers (wtf? retarded, especially considering 1 of them is actually really good), a singer who has proved he is absoloutely amazing but sings like a 10-year-old mallgoth anyway, and 2 DJ/keyboardists (again... what the hell is the point?), and of course not forgetting the childish, image-based theme, slipknot are SURE to attract 1000's of pathetic wannabe metalheads.
dont bother with the "zomfgz wtf why u postin if u dnt lik da band u gay" routine.

I'm a Slipknot fan sure, but I still agree with this. Slipknot has much more potential that they refuse to untap.

My mate told me there's this funny random bit on disc 1 where Craig randomly says to the camera "How many people are buried in your back garden?" i can soooo imagine him saying something like that lmao.

actually, this is disc 2, and craig does not talk talk during his interviews. The interviewer asks that question an craig jus stands at a distance n smokes.
theres also more of an interview if u can find the 'rabbit holes' where the interviewer asks why hes known as the silent member, and asks how his spoken project is coming along... craig says nothing at all through both dvds!! Pretty funny!

I don't understand why they don't actually work on some more complex basslines and keyboard riffs, drum beats, guitar riffs, with that many people in a band you could make some amazing stuff but it's like they just don't want to.

I do agree they dont utilize the fact that they have so many things. They could make so much more complex songs. But they dont well not anymore. Iowa had a few songs that were really really good i must admitt. They need to get rid of there bassist though he is absolutely the worst bassist i have seen ever.

cannot believe u just compared thompson to petrucci. 2 completely different types of bands, like...on the other end of the scale from one another, u cannot say musicially different = worse. n fyi, i love dream theater aswell, but mick is vgood. its like, comparing every guitarist to satch...they are good, but nowhere near as good as him.

the rabbit holes are awesome, if you can find them all.
but they did have better music this last cycle. like Opium of the People had a really good intro and some songs had solos. lyrics were a little more complex on the part of Corey Taylor im guessing since he can't scream like before, he had to step up something else.

all they do is make new DVDs, ****! make another CD already! personally, i hate their music but even excluding that they are sooooo gay for thinking that they've accomplished so much when they really haven't

haha the only thing craig has ever said to an interviewer is "if i wasn't in slipknot right now, id be out killing people"
as for people saying about their talent and stuff...
i think they are extremely talented... as for wether they use it... joey obviously does... corey, well vermillion part 2 is f***ing awesome, and his normal slipknot style vocals are immense.
the thing with petrucci is, he is good, so has to show it. i think james and mick are bloody good, but they are reserved, they use their instruments to add to the sound. as for people saying about the 2 dj/keyboard players... one of them is a dj, the other does keyboards and samples.
personally, i think slipknot are talented, and do show off their talent in slipknot. just because they dont show off all the time like all these shitty metal bands like trivium have to do, some people seem to think they cant do anything spectacular.

hailthrashmetal wrote:
all they do is make new DVDs, ****! make another CD already! personally, i hate their music but even excluding that they are sooooo gay for thinking that they've accomplished so much when they really haven't

Congrats, you just earned the most ****ing retarded person award. Dude why the hell you even on here if you don't like the music? And secondly, WHY do you want them to have a CD out? Besides if you havn't noticed, a lot of the band members are doing side projects. Dumbass

i really cant stand slipknot, everyone here is talkin about how talented the guitarists are, but they just tune down to drop b or some shit and play like three chords, the vocalist can sing, but most of the times it sounds like hes vomiting, the drummer is awesome, anyone that can play drums upside down definitely has talent another thing i dont like about slipknot are the fans, every slipknot fan i know is a total dick or retarded, they skip school to skateboard in the parking lot and scratch everyones cars up, slipknot is basically just a more intense version of korn, three band members are completely useless, and the masks dont make them cool, they just make them mushroomhead copies

Pinto12 wrote:
cannot believe u just compared thompson to petrucci. 2 completely different types of bands, like...on the other end of the scale from one another, u cannot say musicially different = worse. n fyi, i love dream
theater aswell, but mick is vgood. its like, comparing every guitarist to satch...they are good, but nowhere near as good as him.

i really cant stand slipknot, everyone here is talkin about how talented the guitarists are, but they just tune down to drop b or some shit and play like three chords, the vocalist can sing, but most of the times it sounds like hes vomiting, the drummer is awesome, anyone that can play drums upside down definitely has talent another thing i dont like about slipknot are the fans, every slipknot fan i know is a total dick or retarded, they skip school to skateboard in the parking lot and scratch everyones cars up, slipknot is basically just a more intense version of korn, three band members are completely useless, and the masks dont make them cool, they just make them mushroomhead copies

You make me sad, I listen to Slipknot and really love them, but I also love bands like Iron Maiden, Van Halen etc. hell, even some Beethoven and Mozart, so no, not all of us are ducks, and no, not all of us go around scratching cars up etc. And enouhg with the Slipknot/Mushroomhead thing, it's dead, over, the bands settled it themselves. The End.

Ya know the bassist isn't that bad either. There is just too much shit going on at any one time for him to really shine. Imagine trying to work with all of that shit going on as a bassist and doing a job that would make someone say "Wow look at the guy playing bass" I mean theres clowns beating the shit out of Pinochio and 6 other dudes all making noise at the same time. Its hard enough for bassists to get noticed half of the time.

Hailthrashmetal wrote:
all they do is make new DVDs, ****! make another CD already! personally, i hate their music but even excluding that they are sooooo gay for thinking that they've accomplished so much when they really haven't.

.....dude ur first impression on us was a pissed off guy who thought he knew what he was talking about. know we see ur an imature **** that doesnt know a legendary band when it comes up and gets a platnum album, a triple platnum dvd and a double platnum live show/album. and last i ****ing recall slipknot have only made 2 official dvds (excluding "wecome to our nabourhood" being an unofficial dvd) and 3 cds what is with you?? do u want them to make 10 albums and 1 dvd aye?? they understand people want to get to know the real slipknot under the masks so therefore they must make dvds??? comprendei??? and dont come back because we will "SLIT YOUR THROAT AND **** THE WOUND!!"

Hey voliminal was a great dvd. disc one was like a horror movie haha. loved the random toilet blocking and plunging lol. now as for the people dissing slipknot, why the **** are you on here if you hate the band? dicks. if you new anything about slipknot you wouldn't be complaining about a "pointless" three drummers. wen slipknot began they wanted to play brutal metal and so they got three drummers to make a "wall" of sound. the dj and the keyboarder/sampler are two different people. ****tards. and for those that say they have no talent are dumb asses. the band isn't one of those try hard bands that rip a guitar solo for half of every song. they all make an equal contribution to the sound tto help towards that "wall" of sound. so till you know all the facts shut the **** up. dicks...

Its funny cos when people want to dis Slipknot they allwats target the 3 drummers and the masks. I'm going to be onhest at first i thought Slipknot were a rubbish band coming with a the new wave of death metal, i hadnt lissened to them though, i had just gone on public opinion. A humungus mistake, they are extremely talented, extremely good band. When the 3 drummers are mentioned people think Clown and Chris cant play, they just bang alot, what aload of crap, they can play drums but they chose to have a different drum kit to the 1 that Joey has, a dmart move to be onhest, they can achive a sound that no other band can. Here is what i think on each member of the band:-
Sid: A talented tuntablist, not used much in Vol. 3.
Joey: A extremely fabulous drummer, its hard to say how good he actually is. He was the fastest drummer in the world for a while. Someone above said he is in Stone Sour, he isnt he play guitar in Murderdolls, showing he has real talent.
Paul: A very good bassist coming up with some good bass lines. I don't play bass much so i would know if he is the best, but it doesnt mean he isnt good.
Chris: A very good drummer, able to keep a fast beat going, him and clown get alot of bad press just being the other rubbish drumers, they arnt as good as joey but joey is ace.
Jim: A extremely talented guitarist, able to shine in Stone Sour, he is one of my idles since i saw him at Download 2006, i thought he was fabulous, his fingers moving fluidly through the whole set.
Craig: Not sure on his role to be onhest, if played keyboard i probs would but i dont i tend to notice the riffs and drums.
Shawn: He is a very good drummer, plays in a band To my suprise, i havent heard them so i cant comment.
Mick: A fabulous guitarist, i love his guitar work, he is the biggest role model to me. If you see him play the nameless it looks so cool. Also i have seen many videos on him and he did this other guitar video which was ace.
Corey: A very talented vocalist, is in Stone Sour. His vocals stand out in Stone Sour and Vermilliion part 2, a completely different Slipknot, i didnt even know they could produce something like this.
In general Slipknot is a excellent band, the first album was sorta rap metal, Iowa heavy metal, Vol.3 Rock. Any band that can produce such a sound deseves credit. Now you know the facts you say what you want.

The 1st disc was kinda messed but it was cool how it was different than just being a "this is another normal band dvd". The 2nd disc was more into it with the music, members, etc. which was more interesting to me than looking at people drinking and puking. lol.

i_eat_souls wrote:
i really cant stand slipknot, everyone here is talkin about how talented the guitarists are, but they just tune down to drop b or some shit and play like three chords, the vocalist can sing, but most of the times it sounds like hes vomiting, the drummer is awesome, anyone that can play drums upside down definitely has talent another thing i dont like about slipknot are the fans, every slipknot fan i know is a total dick or retarded, they skip school to skateboard in the parking lot and scratch everyones cars up, slipknot is basically just a more intense version of korn, three band members are completely useless, and the masks dont make them cool, they just make them mushroomhead copies

pariah452 wrote:
I do agree they dont utilize the fact that they have so many things. They could make so much more complex songs. But they dont well not anymore. Iowa had a few songs that were really really good i must admitt. They need to get rid of there bassist though he is absolutely the worst bassist i have seen ever.

I think Paul's alright, but only because the bass riff in disasterpiece at 3:40 goes well with the vocals. SlipKnoT care about more than their image - they created their image because of the ridicule they got in their early days. just because some guitarists don't do the high-pitched wankrer eddie van halen virtuoso LISTEN TO ME!!!!! I'M AWESOME!!!! bullshit it doesn't mean they're untalented. I know i'm going to piss off millions of people with my EVH remark, but really, what have we become if we all only appreciate talent in that form? Jeowy has some valid points, but I think he should listen closely to the starting riff in Before I Forget - there are sleek hammer-ons and pull-offs that you won't hear the first time you listen to it. and for the people who like the EVH virtuoso high-pitched wankrer shite listen to the Pulse of the Maggots/Vermillion solos - possibly my least favourite SlipKnoT bits (the bit at the start of POTM(after the spoken bit) is awesome, i don't know why they ruined it with a solo like that) but it may please you fans of shrieking guitar noises. to i_eat-souls , i hate all mushroomhead songs and all people that discuss them in a SlipKnoT review/forum and your wrong about the 3 members being useless, actually its 4 - chris, shawn, sid and craig(although shawn founded the band, and was the main percussionist until Jordison came along)

allright this is retarded u people anger me, masks r used to hide identity so they can go on with there lives and put reality into the music, masks do build effect but it also allows them to be a diff person on stage. EX: corey in slipknot(all over the place) corey in stone sour (morely in 1 spot) the guitarist u guys r all retarded on thats just the style it sounds heavy there a heavy metal band duhh who f***in cares. this shit is unique the 9 members make it unique the dj and sampler/keyboard do there thing its diffrent from other bands and isnt that what every band is going for??? like ffs and for the fans(maggots!!!) there not all skaterpunks people have there own style if u skateboarded and liked it ud skip to do it 2 and if u hated some 1 ud scratch there car 2..... u piss me off people

i wasnt really a fan of the first disk at all. it is very strange. reminded me of a bad trip. but i am not a huge fan so i guess that plays into the meaning of it. the second disk was pretty cool though. still didnt think it compared to the pantara and lamb of god dvds.